Archives West Finding Aid

The McIlheny letters consist of photocopies from four originals written to his mother and sister, two during the Civil War and two from Helena, Montana Territory. The first is dated July 15, 1862 and was written from a camp south of Jacinto, Mississippi. McIlheny describes the price of food, foraging expeditions, camp rumors, and very little on enemy movements. Another letter, dated Murfreesboro, Tennessee, February 18, 1863, again discusses foraging for food, the unpopularity of division commander Brig. Gen. Jefferson C. Davis, the abuse of civilians by some members of the Fourth Cavalry, and some camp rumors on troop movements. McIlheny wrote from Helena, Montana on October 11, 1866 giving details on his overland journey to the territory, his disillusionment with mining prospects in the area, and local food prices and wages. In this letter he also repeats the proper spelling of his last name in order to insure return letters are addressed properly. His last letter, written from Helena on January 10, 1867 describes his decision to stay through the winter keeping the cabin for his partners who had gone to a new strike twenty five miles distance. Again he describes prices, mining conditions, and food. McIlheny also tells of money owed to him by relatives and his reaction to other news from home. This final letter was apparently so faded that it was transcribed by library personnel after its photocopying.